Door latch with a concealed self-securing arrangement

ABSTRACT

A door latch with a self-securing arrangement securing the latch to a hinged door to inhibit removal or destruction of the latch and to deter vandalism.

United States Patent Mott, Sr. et al. [451 Mar. 21, 1972 1 DOOR LATCH WITH A CONCEALED R f r nc s Ci ed SELF-SECURING ARRANGEMENT UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Inventors Ralph Mofl, Ralph Mott, J 996,292 6/1911 Stephenson .;..292/337 ux Richard C. Cantella, all of Houston, Tex. 2,169,743 8/ 1939 Schlage ..292/145 [73] Assign: RWWNRO Cm 3,031,220 4/1962 Reiss ..292/337 x [22] Filed: No 3, 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [211 App] 86 511 219,219 1/1962 Austria ..292 14s Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr.

52 us. c1 .292/145, 292 337 mwmeylaek Hayden 511 1111.01 ..E05c 1/04, EOSb 9/08 581 new 61 Search ..292/337,145, 146, 147,148, [57] ABSTRACT 292/149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, DIG. 53,DIG. 64

A door latch with a self-securing arrangement securing the latch to a hinged door to inhibit removal or destruction of the latch and to deter vandalism.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented March 21, 1972 V 3,650,555

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1&1

Y B), Magda /ITT()RNEY Patented March 21, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3040/) 5. Ma/z, Jr. 3040/1 45. Ma/f, z/i: fi/rfio'ra C (0/7///0' l/VVENTORI BY M W. Magda ATTORNEY DOOR LATCH WITH A CONCEALED SELF-SECURING ARRANGEMENT CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION The present invention is disclosed but not claimed in our copending application for Hinge Arrangement Including a Partially Concealed Means for Securing With a Swinging Door filed Nov. 3, 1970 and bearing Ser. No. 86,513.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to door latches and has particular utility in relation to doors that are employed in rest rooms; however, it may be employed in other situations.

More specifically, theinvention relates to a bolt type latch that is constructed and arranged so that it can be secured in position on a door relatively easily and quickly by applying a force on the latch bolt. The securing means actuated by the force on the latch bolt is concealed to aid in inhibiting removal of the latch by vandalism or otherwise as well as providing a neat appearance.

At the present time most latch arrangements employed on bolt type latches, such as those employed in rest rooms, are secured in position to the doors by exposed screws or other exposed fastening means. A great deal of difficulty is experienced in loss of such arrangements by vandalism in that the fastening means are readily accessible so that the manner of securing is in most instances capable of being determined by visual observation which enables the securing means to be readily unsecured so that the latch can be removed.

In some situations, the latch is removed just by idle curiosity of persons who may be using the rest room, and not by vandalism.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art in that it provides a bolt type latch for a rest room door or other type door, wherein the securing means for the latch arrangement is concealed within the latch, and wherein the securing means may be actuated by the latch bolt after the latch arrangement is positioned in a slot on the door.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a latch arrangement for a bolt type door wherein the securing arrangement for securing the latch to the door is concealed within and carried by the latch arrangement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bolt type latch arrangement for a door wherein the latching or locking bolt may be utilized to operate securing means concealed within the latch bolt housing for securing the latch bolt housing to a door.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a bolt type door latch with a concealed self-securing arrangement for securing the latch to a door, which latch includes a central web member with projections extending beyond each longitudinal edge for overlapping the door along each edge of a slot in the door to present a smooth uninterrupted surface in the exterior door surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the latch of the present invention in position on a swinging door ofa rest room or the like and shows the latch arrangement moved to locking position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on the opposite side of FIG. 1 showingthe exterior door surface;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating a pivot arrangement for pivotally mounting the door and the latch arrangement of the present invention for the door and the adjacent part which goes on the jamb or wall;

FIG. 4 is a sectional line on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 to more clearly illustrate certain structural details of the latch of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of FIG. 4 illustrating further structural details.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the latch arrangement of the present invention is referred to generally by the numeral 20. The latch 20 is shown as being mounted on a door 21, and the door 21 is pivotally supported as indicated generally at 23 on the wall 24. FIG. 2 is a reverse elevation of FIG. 1. As indicated by the arrow 26, the door is hinged so that it will swing in a specific direction; however, the

direction of swinging of the door 21 may be changed as desired.

In FIG. 3 the door 21 is again illustrated in elevation and the hinges 23 shown in exploded view. The hinge arrangement is described and claimed in our copending application entitled Hinge Arrangement Including a Partially Concealed Means For Securing With a Swinging Door filed Nov. 3, I970, bearing Ser. No. 86,513, hereinbefore referred to.

The door 21 is provided with a slot 30 extending from the edge of the door for receiving the bolt type latch arrangement referred to generally at 20. The wall surface or column 27 op posite the door receives the bolt or latch keeper referred to generally by the numeral 28.

The latch arrangement 20 includes the lock bolt housing 35. The lock bolt housing 35 includes the longitudinally extending central web member 37 and the projections 38 and 39 which extend beyond the longitudinal edges 37a of the central web member 37, one of such longitudinally extending edges being shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. As more clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the projections 38 and 39 terminate at one of their ends 38a and 39a in substantially the same plane as one end 37b of the central web member 37 while the other ends 38b and 39b extend beyond the plane of the other end 37c of the central web member 37 so that the door 21 is overlapped along the edges 30a and the end 30b adjacent slot 30 when the latch 20 is positioned within the slot of the door 21 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

This overlapping relationship between the latch and the door adjacent the slot 30 not only presents a neat appearance, but inhibits access to the securing means for the latch which is contained within the lock bolt housing 35 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. By concealing the securing means thusly, any tendency by idle curiosity to try to remove the latch is greatly hampered, and similarly, removal of the latch by vandalism or other acts of violence is inhibited as compared with merely securing the lock bolt housing in position in the slot 30 by screws or the like to which access may be gained readily.

The lock bolt housing 35 also includes an opening 40 which extends longitudinally through the central web member 37 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. A slot 45 communicates at one end with the opening 40 as more clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings and extends through the central web member and the projecting plate 39 to provide a path for movement of platelike extension 52 of the handle 50 relative to the lock bolt housing 35. The handle means 50 is secured with the lock bolt for moving the lock bolt 55 longitudinally in the lock bolt housing 37. The lock bolt 55 is shown as being in the form of a cylindrical plunger; however, its specific configuration may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The handle means 50 includes the knob 51, the platelike extension 52 which extends through the slot 45 and the yoke 53 which surrounds a portion 54 of the lock bolt 55. The portion 54 of the lock bolt 55 is reduced in size as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings to provide a shoulder 58 at the juncture of the reduced portion 54 with the balance of the lock bolt 55 so that the bolt may be moved towards latching position as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings by grasping the knob 51 whereupon the plate 52 integrally formed therewith and the yoke 53 integrally associated or connected with the platelike member 52 slides along portion 54 until it engages the shoulder 58 to move the lock bolt 55 longitudinally out of the lock bolt housing 35.

Stop means 59 are associated with the lock bolt housing 35, such stop means being in the form of a pin which may be driven through the central web member 37 and the slot 45 for abutment with the platelike member 52 to not only stop travel of the bolt, but to aid in preventing removal of the handle means 50 and lock bolt 55 from the lock bolt housing 35 after the latch has been assembled in any suitable manner as will be described hereinafter.

Securing means represented generally by the numeral 70 are concealed within the lock bolt housing 35 and as illustrated in the drawings, the form of securing means illustrated, by way of example only, is a nail 71 movable longitudinally within the opening or bore 40. A spacer 72 formed of any suitable materials such as an elastomer or the like, serves to maintain the nail 71 in proper alignment before it is driven into the door 21 at the end 3017 of the slot 30.

The handle means 50 may be secured with the locking bolt 55 in any suitable manner or by any suitable means such as threads or the like and is shown as being secured to the locking bolt by means of the snap ring 60 which is mounted in the groove 61 formed in the reduced portion 54 of the locking bolt. The snap ring 60 serves as a shoulder against which the yoke 53 may abut for moving the lock bolt 55 inwardly of the housing 35 towards unlatched position.

The securing means 70 is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the bore 40 after the lock bolt housing 35 has been moved into position within the slot 30 and thereafter by either hammering on the end of the lock bolt 50 or applying a force thereto, the reduced portion 54 engages the head 71a of the nail 71 and drives it into position as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In order to prevent the nail 71 from moving out the end of the opening 40 and out of the lock bolt housing 35 suitable stop means as referred to at 63 are provided, such stop means being shown as being in the form of detents on each side of the central web member 37 and extending into opening 40 for engaging the head 71a of the nail. This arrangement serves to retain the lock bolt housing 35 within the slot 30 and retains the securing means 70 in engagement with the lock bolt housing and secures the lock bolt housing to the door 21. Since the nail 71 is within the lock bolt housing 35, it is concealed, and the manner of securing and retaining the lock bolt housing 35 in the slot 30 is further concealed by the overlapping relationship of the projections 38 and 39 relative to the sides and end of the slot 30 as previously mentioned.

Where the handle 50 is secured to the lock bolt 50 by threads or the like, then any suitable spacer means could be provided in lieu of the extension 54 for fitting between the end of the nail 71 and the yoke 53 so that when a force is applied longitudinally of the locking bolt 55, the nail 71 may be driven into the door 21.

in FIG. 4 the keeper 28 for the lock bolt 55 is mounted on the adjacent wall or column which forms the jamb 27. Such keeper includes the housing 80 having an opening 81 therein through which the locking bolt may protrude and into the recess 82 formed within the jamb. The housing 80 is generally U-shaped and fits around the end or edge of the column or wall forming the jamb 27 and is secured in position by means of the spindle 83 which extends through the opening 84 formed in the jamb 27. The spindle 84 is provided with threaded openings 85 which are adapted to receive the screws 86. The screws 86 are thus the only apparent means of securing any portion of the latch arrangement which is readily visible.

It will be noted that the spindle 83 is of shorter extent than the distance between the sides of the U-shaped housing 80 so that it may be firmly clamped against the jamb by the screws 86 and spindle 83 and held in position.

The housing 80 includes the protecting portion 85 with a recess therein to accommodate an elastomer block 86 to serve as a bumper for the lock bolt housing 35 when the door is closed.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that the lock bolt housing 35 serves as a carrier not only for the lock bolt, but also serves to conceal the securing means 70.

in assembly of the device, the handle means 50 may be telescopically received over the portion 54 of the locking bolt 55 and the snap ring 60 then inserted in position. The nail 71 and carrier 72 may then be inserted in 40. Thereafter the stop means 59 and the stop 63 may be formed in the lock bolt housing to retain the securing means and the lock bolt 50 and handle means 50 within the lock bolt housing 35.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A door latch with a concealed self-securing arrangement for securing the latch to a door comprising:

a. a lock bolt housing for inserting in a slot in a door;

b. a lock bolt movable longitudinally in said housing towards door latching and unlatching position;

c. handle means secured with said lock bolt for moving said lock bolt longitudinally in said housing;

d. means associated with said housing on one side of said handle means for stopping longitudinal movement of said lock bolt when said lock bolt is in door latching position; securing means within said lock bolt housing on the other side of said handle for securing said lock bolt housing within the slot in the door;

. said securing means movable longitudinally of said housing by applying a force to said lock bolt which is transmitted to said securing means to move said securing means longitudinally of said housing and into the door; and

g. stop means associated with said housing to stop the longitudinal movement of said securing means when said securing means is engaged with the door to thereby retain said lock bolt housing in position within the slot in the door. I

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a nail and wherein said stop means includes detents in said housing for engaging the head of the nail.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lock bolt housing includes:

a. a longitudinally extending central web member;

b. projections extending beyond each longitudinal edge of said web member for overlapping the door along each edge of the slot, said projections terminating in substantially the same plane as one end of said central web member at one end of said housing and extending beyond the plane of the other end of said central web member at the other end of said housing for overlapping the door at the inner end of the slot;

c. said central web member having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving said lock bolt and said securing means; and

d. there being a slot extending from the longitudinal opening along one side thereof and through said central web member.

4. The invention of claim 3 including:

a. handle means extending through the slot; and

b. means for securing said handle to said lock bolt.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said handle securing means includes:

a. yoke means connected with said handle means;

b. said lock bolt having a portion or reduced size for receiving said yoke means and for providing a shoulder on said lock bolt whereby said yoke may engage said shoulder for moving said lock bolt toward latching position; and

c. there being a groove in said reduced portion for receiving a snap ring against which said yoke may act to move said latch away from latching position.

6. The invention of claim 3 wherein said securing means is a nail within the longitudinally extending opening in said central web member, and a spacer surrounding said nail and fitting within the opening to aid in aligning the nail for it to be driven into the end of the slot in the door when a force is applied to said lock bolt.

7. The invention of claim 4 wherein said securing means is a nail within the longitudinally extending opening in said central web member, and a spacer surrounding said nail and fitting within the opening to aid in aligning the nail for it to be driven into the end of the slot in the door when a force is applied to 5 said lock bolt.

; {s/sa) mw'fwwrzfli m H "mm m 3 650 555 Data! March 21, 1972 01' appears in we; above-ifientified patent are hereby :zorrected as shown below:

Column 4, Line 63, change "'or" to --of-- Signed and sealed this 18th day of July 1 972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSGHALK Commissioner of Patents EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer 

1. A door latch with a concealed self-securing arrangement for securing the latch to a door comprising: a. a lock bolt housing for inserting in a slot in a door; b. a lock bolt movable longitudinally in said housing towards door latching and unlatching position; c. handle means secured with said lock bolt for moving said lock bolt longitudinally in said housing; d. means associated with said housing on one side of said handle means for stopping longitudinal movement of said lock bolt when said lock bolt is in door latching position; e. securing means within said lock bolt housing on the other side of said handle for securing said lock bolt housing within the slot in the door; f. said securing means movable longitudinally of said housing by applying a force to said lock bolt which is transmitted to said securing means to move said securing means longitudinally of said housing and into the door; and g. stop means associated with said housing to stop the longitudinal movement of said securing means when said securing means is engaged with the door to thereby retain said lock bolt housing in position within the slot in the door.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a nail and wherein said stop means includes detents in said housing for engaging the head of the nail.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said lock bolt housing includes: a. a longitudinally extending central web member; b. projections extending beyond each longitudinal edge of said web member for overlapping the door along each edge of the slot, said projections terminating in substantially the same plane as one end of said central web member at one end of said housing and extending beyond the plane of the other end of said central web member at the other end of said housing for overlapping the door at the inner end of the slot; c. said central web member having an opening extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving said lock bolt and said securing means; and d. there being a slot extending from the longitudinal opening along one side thereof and through said central web member.
 4. The invention of claim 3 including: a. handle means extending through the slot; and b. means for securing said handle to said lock bolt.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said handle securing means includes: a. yoke means connected with said handle means; b. said lock bolt having a portion or reduced size for receiving said yoke means and for providing a shoulder on said lock bolt whereby said yoke may engage said shoulder for moving said lock bolt toward latching position; and c. there being a groove in said reduced portion for receiving a snap ring against which said yoke may act to move said latch away from latching position.
 6. The invention of claim 3 wherein said securing means is a nail within the longitudinally extending opening in said central web member, and a spacer surrounding said nail and fitting within the opening to aid in aligning the nail for it to be driven into the end of the slot in the door when a force is applied to said lock bolt.
 7. The invention of claim 4 wherein said securing means is a nail within the longitudinally extending opening in said central web member, and a spacer surrounding said nail and fitting within the opening to aid in aligning the nail for it to be driven into the end of the slot in the door when a force is applied to said lock bolt. 